Shillong, Dec 1: Meghalaya marked World AIDS Day 2025 with a major policy push, unveiling a Rs 25-crore, five-year Mission Mode Plan to scale up HIV testing, treatment, and community outreach across the state.
Announced by Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla at the State Convention Centre, the new initiative positions Meghalaya among the few Indian states committing dedicated long-term funding to transform HIV response.
Under the plan, the government will expand testing and treatment centres, strengthen confidentiality protections, intensify community-led interventions, and ramp up year-round awareness campaigns. The mission also prioritises stigma reduction — an area officials say remains a critical barrier to early diagnosis and care.
Calling for “unity, compassion and innovation,” Shylla stressed that HIV is fully treatable and that all services are provided free of cost. He commended the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS), led by Project Director Dr. K. L. Iawbor, and frontline workers for sustaining prevention and care efforts on the ground.
Principal Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) Sampath Kumar said there are over 9,000 people currently living with HIV, and more than 900 new detections every year — many identified through active screening. East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills continue to report the highest burden. With statewide HIV awareness still as low as 16–17% and nearly one-third of cases linked to substance use, Kumar urged schools and youth groups to become “critical drivers of change.”
Adding a human dimension to the event, Paul Hrangbung, President of the Meghalaya State Network of Positive People (MSNP), and advocate Agui Deimei shared personal testimonies on living with HIV, underscoring the urgent need for acceptance, confidentiality and non-discrimination within families and communities.
MLAs Ollan Sing Suin, Adelbert Nongrum and Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah joined senior health officials including Dr. J. S. Momin, Dr. Neela E. Kharsahnoh, Dr. Lumrilyne Mylliemumlong and Dr. Rezina Ch. Marak, signalling broad political and departmental support for the mission.
The programme ended with a collective pledge to defeat stigma, strengthen awareness, and ensure that every individual in Meghalaya has access to testing, treatment and care — reinforcing the government’s ambition to make the state HIV-free in the next five years.
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